Type :w!file
to overwrite the existing file, or type
:wnewfile
to save the edited version in a new file.

You want to write a file, but you don't have write permission for
it. You get the message "Permission denied."

Use :wnewfile
to write out the buffer into a new file.
If you have write permission for the directory, you can use
mv
to replace the original version with your copy of it.
If you don't have write permission for the directory,
type :wpathname/file
to
write out the buffer to a directory in which you do have write
permission (such as your home directory, or /tmp
).

You try to write your file, but you get a message telling you that
the file system is full.

Type :!rmjunkfile
to delete
a (large) unneeded file and
free some space.
(Starting an ex
command with an exclamation point gives you
access to UNIX.)

Or type :!df
to see whether there's any space on another file system.
If there is, choose a directory on that file system and write your
file to it with :wpathname
.
(df
is the UNIX command to check a
d
isk's
f
ree space.)

The system puts you into open mode and tells you that the
file system is full.

The disk with vi
's
temporary files is filled up. Type :!ls /tmp
to see whether there are any files you can remove to
gain some disk space.[1
]
If there are, create a temporary UNIX shell from which you can remove files or issue
other UNIX commands.
You can create a shell by typing :sh
;
type
[CTRL-D]
or exit
to terminate the shell and return to vi
. (On
most UNIX systems, when using a job-control shell, you can simply type
[CTRL-Z]
to suspend vi
and return to the UNIX prompt;
type fg
to return to
vi
.)
Once you've freed up some space, write your file with :w!
.

[1]
Your vi
may keep its temporary files in /usr/tmp
,
/var/tmp
, or your current directory; you may need to poke around
a bit to figure out where exactly you've run out of room.

You try to write your file, but you get a message telling you that your
disk quota has been reached.

Try to force the system to save your buffer with the ex
command
:pre
(short for :preserve
).
If that doesn't work, look for some files to remove.
Use :sh
(or
[CTRL-Z]
if you are using a job-control system) to move out of vi
and remove
files.
Use
[CTRL-D]
(or fg
) to return to vi
when you're done.
Then write your file with :w!
.